Ever found yourself staring at a meticulously crafted research paper, only to be baffled by the seemingly cryptic citations sprinkled throughout? You’re not alone. Properly citing sources isn’t just about avoiding plagiarism; it’s the cornerstone of academic integrity and intellectual honesty. It allows readers to trace your research, verify your claims, and explore the sources that informed your analysis. Mastering citation styles, especially the Modern Language Association (MLA) format, is essential for students, researchers, and anyone engaging in scholarly writing.
MLA style provides a standardized way to acknowledge the works of others, giving credit where it’s due and fostering a clear and consistent presentation of information. Accurate citations demonstrate your credibility as a writer, show that you’ve engaged with relevant research, and enable your audience to delve deeper into the topic. Neglecting proper citation can have serious consequences, from lowered grades to accusations of plagiarism. Therefore, understanding the nuances of MLA formatting is a crucial skill for academic and professional success.
What are the most common questions about citing an article in MLA?
What’s the basic format for citing an MLA article in a Works Cited list?
The basic format for citing an article in MLA format in a Works Cited list follows this structure: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, Volume, Number, Date of Publication, Page Numbers. Database Name (if applicable), URL or DOI.
Let’s break down each component of this format. First, list the author’s name, last name first, followed by a comma and then the first name. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear in the publication, separating each name with a comma, except for the last author, which is preceded by “and.” The article title should be enclosed in quotation marks, with only the first word, proper nouns, and any words following a colon capitalized. The journal title is italicized, as are the volume and, if applicable, issue numbers. The date of publication is presented in day-month-year format (e.g., 15 Jan. 2023) if available; otherwise, just the month and year are fine.
Finally, note the page range where the article can be found in the journal. If you accessed the article through a database, include the database name, also italicized. If the article was accessed online directly from the journal’s website, include either the stable URL or the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if one is available. The DOI is generally preferred because it’s a permanent link and less likely to change than a URL. Remember to indent the second and subsequent lines of your citation by half an inch; this is called a hanging indent.
How do I cite an online article with no author in MLA?
When citing an online article with no author in MLA format, begin the citation with the title of the article. Enclose the title in quotation marks. Then, provide the rest of the standard citation information, including the website name (in italics), the publication date (if available), and the URL.
MLA prioritizes what information is available. Since there’s no author, the title steps in to take that first-position slot in your Works Cited entry. This ensures readers can still easily locate the source in your alphabetical list and then find the specific article online using the provided URL. Remember to use title case for the article title, capitalizing the first letter of principal words.
In your in-text citation, use a shortened version of the article title (usually the first one or two words) enclosed in quotation marks. For example, if the article is titled “Best Practices for Online Research,” your in-text citation would be something like (“Best Practices”). If the title is very long, shorten it to a recognizable and manageable form. Remember, the goal is to provide enough information for the reader to easily find the corresponding entry in your Works Cited list.
What if an MLA article has two or more authors?
When an MLA-cited article has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the source’s publication. For two authors, list both names, separated by “and”. For three or more authors, list only the first author followed by “et al.”
When citing articles with multiple authors, maintaining accuracy and consistency is crucial. The core principle of MLA style is to provide enough information for readers to locate the source themselves. Therefore, always present the authors’ names as they are presented in the original publication. For articles with two authors, use the format: Last Name, First Name, and First Name Last Name. Example: Smith, John, and Jane Doe. For articles with three or more authors, use the “et al.” abbreviation after the first author’s name. “Et al.” is short for “et alii,” which means “and others” in Latin. Example: Smith, John, et al. This abbreviation significantly shortens the citation, especially when dealing with articles with numerous contributors, while still providing sufficient information for identification. Remember that regardless of the number of authors, the rest of the citation format (article title, journal title, publication date, etc.) remains consistent with standard MLA guidelines. The goal is to provide clear and concise information, allowing readers to easily find the source.
How do I cite an article found in a database like JSTOR in MLA?
To cite an article found in a database like JSTOR in MLA 9th edition, you generally need the author’s name, article title, journal title, volume and issue number (if applicable), publication date, page numbers, database name, and a URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier).
The specific format will resemble this: Author Last Name, Author First Name. “Article Title.” *Journal Title*, vol. Volume Number, no. Issue Number, Date of Publication, pp. Page Range. *Database Name*, URL or DOI. It’s important to note that if a DOI is available, you should always use it in preference to a URL. This is because DOIs are permanent and more reliable than URLs, which can change over time. Also, access dates are no longer required unless the source is time-sensitive or lacks a publication date.
Here’s a more detailed explanation using an example. Let’s say you found an article titled “The Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse” by Jane Doe in the journal *Communication Studies*, Volume 25, Issue 3, published in 2020, pages 45-60, accessed through JSTOR, and the DOI is https://doi.org/10.1080/01234567.2020.1234567. Your citation would look like this: Doe, Jane. “The Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse.” *Communication Studies*, vol. 25, no. 3, 2020, pp. 45-60. *JSTOR*, https://doi.org/10.1080/01234567.2020.1234567.
What’s the proper MLA in-text citation format for an article?
The proper MLA in-text citation format for an article typically includes the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the information is found, enclosed in parentheses. For example: (Smith 25-26). If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number(s) are needed in the citation: (25-26).
When the article is from a website or database that does not provide page numbers, you can omit the page number entirely in the in-text citation. In this case, only the author’s last name is required within the parentheses: (Smith). If you’ve already mentioned the author’s name within your sentence, no parenthetical citation is necessary for articles lacking page numbers. Be sure that it is clear from context which source you are referencing. If the article has no author, use a shortened version of the article title in quotation marks instead of the author’s name. For instance, if the article is titled “The Impact of Social Media,” your in-text citation might look like this: (“Impact” 28). Again, include page numbers if available, and omit them if not. Remember that the goal is always to provide just enough information to lead your reader to the correct entry in your Works Cited list.
How do I format the DOI or URL in an MLA citation?
In MLA 9th edition, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL at the end of your citation. If a DOI is available, always prefer it over a URL. Present the DOI as a URL, beginning with “https://doi.org/" followed by the unique DOI number. For URLs, copy the full, stable URL directly from your browser’s address bar, but omit “https://”.
The Modern Language Association emphasizes providing the most direct and persistent link to the source material. The DOI is ideal because it’s designed to be a permanent identifier, ensuring that the link remains valid even if the website’s structure changes. If a DOI isn’t available, the URL serves as the next best option. It’s important to use a stable or permalink when possible, rather than a URL that might expire or change. These stable URLs are often found near the article information or within the database record.
When presenting the URL, be mindful of length. If the URL is excessively long, it’s acceptable to shorten it by removing any tracking parameters or unnecessary elements after the main address, as long as the core path to the article remains intact. Also, avoid adding a period at the end of the URL if it concludes the sentence, as this can interfere with the link’s functionality. Double-check that the DOI or URL you provide is accurate and leads directly to the cited source.
What if an online MLA article doesn’t have page numbers?
When citing an online MLA article lacking page numbers, omit the page number from your in-text citation. If the article has numbered paragraphs, sections, or other divisions, use those with the abbreviation “para.” or “sec.” (e.g., (Smith, para. 4) or (Jones, sec. 2)). If no numbering system exists, use the author’s name (or title if there’s no author) in the signal phrase or include it in the parenthetical citation without page numbers.
MLA style emphasizes providing readers with enough information to locate the source material quickly. If an article lacks page numbers or other numerical divisions, focus on clearly identifying the author and the source within your text. If the article is short and has distinct headings, you might consider referencing the relevant heading in your citation if it provides further clarity. However, avoid inventing subdivisions or counting paragraphs yourself; only use existing markers provided in the original text.
Remember that direct quotations require precise attribution. Without page numbers or paragraph numbers, it can be more challenging for your reader to pinpoint the exact location of the quote. In such instances, use your best judgment to provide the most specific identifier possible. If the online article appears as a PDF that mirrors a print version but lacks the explicit page numbers, you can often infer the page numbers based on the document’s layout and cite accordingly. However, always double-check the official source (journal website, database) for the most accurate citation information.
And that’s a wrap on citing articles in MLA style! Hopefully, this guide has made the process a little less daunting and a lot more clear. Thanks for reading, and feel free to swing by again whenever you need a refresher on all things citations!